Envelope container



Dec. 2, 1969 J. D. KING 3,481,454

ENVELOPE CONTAINER Filed March 4, 1968 l5b INVENTOR. f j \k JAMES DJGMG- United States Patent 3,481,454 ENVELOPE CONTAINER James D. King, 740 Orchard St., Toledo, Ohio 43609 Filed Mar. 4, 1968, Ser. No. 710,377 Int. Cl. B65d 85/00, /00, 5/08 US. Cl. 206-46 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A receptacle construction fabricated of relatively stiff sheet-like material, said receptacle including side, end, top and bottom walls, one of which serves as a folda ble closure permitting removal and insertion of envelopes, and, in combination therewith, a guide chute means providing or defining a passageway having an entry outside the receptacle and an outlet within the receptacle, preferably Within a given envelope.

The present invention relates to a novel receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of envelopes of the type used in making periodic donations to a church, deposits in a bank, etc.

The receptacle construction of the present invention will be described primarily in connection with those receptacles conventionally used to contain a plurality of envelopes, usually 52 or more representing the 52 Sundays of the week plus envelopes for special religious days. The envelopes are used from week to week by the individual or the family in making contributions to the church. Conventionally, an envelope is withdrawn from the receptacle or box, money is inserted into the envelope and the envelope then deposited in the basket when passed at the church service.

The envelopes bear an identifying number, a space for the contributor to place his name and the date of the particular Sunday or day of special religious significance as, for example, Christmas and Easter. The envelopes are of simplified construction, usually of paper, and 'have a glue closure flap which may be wetted, folded over and secured to the outer face to insure retention of the money therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a receptacle for a plurality of donation envelopes which includes a modification in construction, and as well in the design appearance, calculated to induce more frequent and larger contributions of the individual into the individual envelopes.

his a particular object of the present invention to provide a receptacle construction adapted to contain a plurality of envelopes and incorporating, in combination with the' receptacle, a guide chute means providing a passageway or communication leading from outside the receptacle to the interior of the receptacle and particularly a preselected envelope; most particularly, the endmost envelope.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide that the modification in construction will be in such particular form as well cooperate with a particular artistic representation on the face of each envelope as will tend to induce the user to more frequent deposits in the envelope.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a receptacle, e.g., carton construction, which includes in combination a cutaway feature in a given wall as reveals the face of the envelopes in sequence as they are withdrawn one at a time.

The foregoing, as well as other objects of the present invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed sheet of drawings on which there is illustrated a single embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan knocked-down view of a sheet of stiff material die cut in such configuration as will form a receptacle when folded into proper configuration;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the carton construction shown in an intermediate stage of erection;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken away perspective view of the complete receptacle construction shown in connection with envelopes; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a particular guide member which may be employed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Basically, as indicated, the receptacle, e.g., carton construction, of the present invention envisions an integral or separately attached guide means arrangement which serves alone or in cooperation with a receptacle component to provide a passageway for money or the like; said passageway extending from exteriorly of the receptacle to the envelope located in the receptacle.

The nature of the invention will become more apparent by reference to the attached drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed in knocked-down configuration a blank 11 formed of chipboard or like relative stiff sheet material. As viewed in FIG. 1, the inside of the ultimate receptacle is facing the viewer while the side opposite contains decorative printing, etc. The blank includes serially connected panels 13, 15, 17 and 19 separated respectively by score foldlines 14, 16 and 18. Connected to the panel 13 via a score foldline 20 is a glue flap 21. Also connected to the panel 13 via score foldline 23 is a panel 24 having foldably connected thereto via foldline 26 a closure flap 28 to which is affixed via staples 30 a curved guide member 32; a portion of which is shown in dotted outline since it is located behind the flap 28 and panel 24.

The panel 17 has foldably connected thereto, via score foldline 35, a panel 37 which in turn has a closure flap 39 connected thereto via foldline 40. Panel 15 bears foldably connected thereto a flap 15a separated from panel 15 by a score foldline 1511. Similarly, panel 19 bears foldably connected thereto an end flap 19a separated from the panel 19 by a flap 19b. The flap 15a is separated from the panel 37 by a cut line in alignment with foldline 16. Similarly, flap 19a is separated from the panel 37 by a cut line 19c in alignment with foldline 18. The panel 17 includes therein a separable segment 42 by reason of the line of perforation 42a. When the segment 42 is removed, an essentially U-shaped wall is left contiguous to the panels 15 and 19 and panel 37. 'Panel 13 includes a cutout 13a for purposes of revealing the identification of the envelope user, usually by a code number.

The blank 11 is folded into receptacle configuration first by folding the panels 13, 15, 17 and 19 and flap 21 about the foldlines 14, 16, 18 and 20 to form the elongated t-ube shown in FIG. 2. The glue flap 21 is folded inside the opposite end wall 19 and secured to its inner surface (see FIG. 2). The view in FIG. 2 is a plan view looking axially through the tube formed by the folding about scores 14, 16, 18 and 20. Consequently, the top flap 28, the panel 24 and the wall 13 are in alignment such that only the flap 28 can be seen and such is identified in FIG. 2. The bottom of closure members 37, 39, 15a and 19a are next folded into assembly, starting with flaps 19a and 15a, followed by panel 37 with flap 39 sliding up into abutment with wall 13. FIG. 3, by reason of the breaking away of the one corner of the assembled receptacle, reveals the assembled arrangement of the bottom components. The panels 13 and 17 are the principal side walls of the carton as shown in FIG. 3, while the panels 15 and 19 are the end walls and panels 37 is the bottom wall of the receptacle.

The top closure arrangement consists simply of the top wall 24 and the foldably connected panel 28. It can normally be closed by simply folding panel 24 about foldline 23 and then flap 28 about foldline 26 with closure flap 28 extending down in closing flush abutment with the inner surface of spaced legs 17a and 17b of the panel 17. The member 32 in the assembled carton, due to its curved configuration and its securement to flap 28, defines a vertical passageway proximate the U-shaped side wall 17 and centrally between legs 17:: and 17b. As can be seen, the top wall 24 bears identifying indicia.

Referring again to FIG. 3, one envelope 50 is shown outside of the receptacle and a second identical envelope 51 within the receptacle. The envelopes 50 and 51 are of conventional construction. Attached to the envelope is a glue flap 50a which, as shown, is folded part way down outside of the envelope opposite from the position it would be in in closing relationship with the envelope. Referring to the receptacle in erected condition, the envelope 51 is the endmost of a plurality contained within the receptacle. The plurality of envelopes are arranged in mutually flush relationship with the endmost thereof in flush engagement with the U-shaped side wall panel 17 revealing, by reason of the extensive cutaway of segment 42, an extensive portion of the face of the envelope. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the faces of these envelopes bear a partial outline of a chalice identified by the reference numeral 55. The member 32, in accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, is configurated to define the container portion of a chalice and so located, as noted, that it registers with the outline of the lower portion of the chalice 55 and thereby completes the chalice configuration. It may be suitably colored gold.

Member 32 is curved, of course, such that the central region thereof is not in flush abutment with the flap 28, but rather defines a passageway 60 between the member 32 and the flap 28 (see FIG. 2). Appreciating the size of the member 32, as illustrated, its attachment to the flap 28 and, as well, the illustrated size of the envelope 50, it will be appreciated (now referring to FIG. 3) that the member 32 will extend down into the top opening of the envelope defined between the lips 57 and 58; the latter constituting the foldline for the closure flap 50a of the envelope. The lip 58 of envelope 51 cannot be seen in the erected carton since it is hidden behind flap 28; the extremity of which likewise extends down into the envelope. It may also be noted that the upper portion of the member 32 extends above the plane of the top closure panel 24 to assist in creating a well defined entry for the money desirably .put into the envelope.

The user of the arrangement as described will find it very convenient to maintain the structure of FIG. 3 in a readily accessible and noticeable location within the home. The appearance of the chalice and the convenient guide chute will encourage frequent insertions of money into the chalice-defined chute which will pass through the passageway 60 into the envelope closest the panel 17. On the appropriate day which will be marked on the envelope, the user simply folds the upper closure arrangement consisting of top panel 24 and flap 28 into the open position whereby the attached member 32 easily slides out of the envelope. The envelope can then be removed and its closure fiap sealed, ready to be carried to the church service. At the same time, the assembly can be reclosed with the lower region of the guide chute member 32 being situated into the mouth of the next succeeding envelope which, due to the positioning of the closure flap 28, will bring the envelope forward into flush engagement with the panel 17 containing the cutout 42. Of course, the plurality of envelopes will tend to accomplish the same object but it will be appreciated that when the supply of envelopes are quite small, this arrangement will serve to hold the next succeeding envelope in proper position, ready for receipt of the donation desired by the user.

In FIG. 4, the member 32 is depicted as being formed of a relatively stiff plastic molded into curved configuration and bearing friction clips 3212 near the margin thereof, providing ready attachment to the closure flap 28. It will be appreciated, of course, that the member 32 may be formed of paperboard or of any suitable material and connected to the flap by staple, adhesive or the like. It is also envisioned that the member 32 would be formed integral with the closure flap 28 and connected thereto by appropriate foldlines and being foldable into appropriate location as will define a suitable chute arrangement defining a passageway leading to an open envelope.

It will also be appreciated that the envelope receptacle itself need not necessarily be fabricated of paper. It may be formed of plastic, wood or any convenient material. The essence of my invention resides in the provision for a guide member secured to or attachable to a closure flap and being configurated as to extend down into an envelope contained in the receptacle providing a convenient arrangement for putting money into the envelope.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the guide means may, in fact, be a part of the envelope itself. Thus, it is envisioned that the envelope may be so fabricated as to possess a height (from the bottom edge to the top opening) greater than that illustrated in FIG. 3 and the upper region narrowed to define an opening approximately the width of the guide member 32. The upper region would also contain a moisture activatable adhesive. Such an envelope will in clude provisions for folding at the normal height of the envelope as illustrated and would also incorporate a provision for holding the endmost envelope in the container in its full height position prominently presenting the upper coin receiving opening above the normal height of the closed container. The container closure flap would slide down between the endmost and the next adjacent envelope. On the day of use, the user would simply remove this endmost envelope with money therein, fold it over on the foldline and seal it. At the same time, the next succeeding envelope would be unfolded to its full height position. The stiffening means may comprise a pleating arrangement in the face portion of the envelope proximate the transverse foldline at the normal height of the envelope illustrated in FIG. 3.

As a collateral feature, the guide chute member 32 is configurated, designed and ornamented as to cooperate with compatible ornamentation and configuration on each of the envelope faces as to visually encourage more frequent and larger donations by reason of the asthetic theme accomplished by the combination of the chute means and the design on the envelope. It will be appreciated that other than a religious motif may be employed in connection with an envelope-containing receptable used for other savings arrangements as, for example, a bank sponsored Christmas club wherein the article motif may be a Christmas scene such as a sleigh, Santas toy sack or the like.

The foregoing description will suggest a variety of uses and all obvious equivalents and adaptations thereof are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention unless specifically excluded by the language of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination:

a generally hollow receptacle adapted to contain a plurality of envelopes therein in mutually flush registering relationship, said envelopes each having an edge defined opening,

said receptacle including closure means movable from a position closing said receptacle to a position permitting withdrawal of at least one of said envelopes, and

a guide means carried by one of said receptacle and closure means, said guide means defining a passageway having an entry exteriorly of said receptacle and said envelope and an outlet within one of said envelopes.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes a bottom wall, upstanding side and end walls, a top wall foldably connected to one of said side and end walls, and said closure means includes a flap foldably connected to said top wall and adapted to frictionally abut the inside surface of the wall opposite one of said side and end walls to effect releasable closure of said receptacle. r 4

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein said guide means is a member carried by said closure flap and having a concave surface facing said flap defining therebetween a vertical passageway extending down intr' an envelope beneath said flap.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein said side wall proximate said closure flap in the closed position is cut away to reveal a major central portion of the endmost of said envelopes.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 4, which includes a plurality of envelopes within said receptacle in vertically on edge relationship. I

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein said envelopes each bear, on the face thereof exposed by said cutout, an artistic illustration and said guide member in appearance and configuration is contributive to said illustration.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein said illustration on said envelope is the lower portion of a chalice and said guide member portrays the upper portion of a chalice.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide means is integrally a part of said closure means.

9. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide means is a separate member secured to said closure means.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide means is formed of plastic.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,456,133 5/1923 Knight.

1,999,940 4/1935 MacDonald 229-8.5 2,023,450 12/ 1935 Tanner.

2,199,204 4/ 1940' Leukoif 20644 2,690,625 10/1954 Dazey 20644 2,943,778 7/ 1960 Paulsen 229-8.5 3,229,902 1/ 1966 Draddy et al. 229-8.5 X

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 22916, 38 

